Mop



March 18, 1941. 5 ROGERS 2,235,264 I MOP Filed Jan. 10, 1938 5/ 3a 5 i Fla. 1. {Z5

g 27 32 25 27 x 50 /7 A! J /4 l N VEN TOR. A fi/V/VETH 6. P0695265.

TTORNEYS.

Patented Mar. 18, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MOP Kenneth S. Rogers, Niles, Mich.; Francis J. Miller, administrator of said Kenneth S. Rogers, de-

ceased, assignor, by

mesne assignments, to

Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in mops, and particularly to a mop employing a sponge rubber mopping element and of the type illustrated in my co-pending patent application, upon which Patent No. 2,108,727 was granted February 15, 1938.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a mop of this character having a water extractor with a flat face and means for causing said extractor to traverse the mopping element with a rolling movement to press said face against said element.

A further object is to provide a mop of this character wherein wringer elements of elongated cross section are mounted on opposite sides of a mopping element by means of a lever operated frame pivoted to said wringer elements and operable to shift said wringer elements in a combined rotary and depressing movement.

A further object is to provide a mop of this character having a pair of opposed wringer elements of elongated cross section, each provided with a pair of spaced parallel shafts, rigid means journaled on one shaft for limiting reciprocating movement of said elements and maintaining one of said shafts in predetermined relation at all times, and operating means including pivotal levers journaled on the other shaft for actuating said elements in a combined reciprocating and rolling movement.

Other objects will be apparent from the description and appended claims.

In the drawing:

Fig. l is a fragmentary view of the mop in front elevation.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view of the mop in side elevation.

Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1 and illustrating the wringer elements in mop compressing position.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary top plan view of the mop.

Referring to the drawing, which illustrates the preferred embodiment of the invention, the numeral l0 designates a sponge rubber mopping element which is mounted in an inverted sheet metal channel H having converging side walls l2 from which the projecting portion of the mop flares. Channel H is mounted on a bracket which clamps said channel, said bracket comprising a plate 13 bearing against the front wall 12 of the channel and bent to bear against the front half of the top of the channel. Arms M project upwardly from the rear portion of plate l3 at the ends thereof, and terminate in rearwardly bent portions l5 spaced above the rear of the channel. A plate l6 bears against the rear wall I2 of the channel and carries a rearwardly upwardly projecting sleeve '30 for they reception of a handle I9. Plate I6 carries vertical ears I! at its ends against which the end of portions [5 of plate l3 abut. The two clamp parts are interconnected by screws l8 extending between arms M and ears I1, and positioned between the channel and portions 15,, whereby tightening of the screws draws the plates [3 and I6 tightly against the side walls I2 of the channel to grip and reinforce the same. The bracket is positioned centrally of the length of the channel and is shorter than said channel. The channel is cut away at at the corners between its top and sides adjacent the ends of said bracket for purposes to be hereinafter set forth.

A pair of wringer elements 2| are positioned adjacent'the bottom of the channel at opposite sides thereof in the concavities between the channel walls I2 and the flaring faces of the sponge Hi. These elements each have a pair of spaced parallel shafts 22 and 22 extending 1ongitudinally therethrough. The cross sectional shape of these elements is preferably definedby arcuate ends centered relative to the adjacent shafts with fiat parallel faces therebetween. Each element preferably comprises three longitudinally aligned sections spaced apart in registration with channel cut-outs 20, the unit extending the full length of the channel.

A pair of rigid sheet metal arch members comprising spaced parallel vertical arms 23 and an integral transverse upper web 24, are positioned transversely of the channel H to project freely through channel cut-outs 20. The lower ends of the arms 23 each have the shafts 22 journaled thereon at the point between an outer and the intermediate section of said wringer elements, and web 24 is normally positioned in spaced relation above the back of channel H. These arch members serve to position the opposed elements 21 in predetermined spaced relation.

A sheet metal frame 25 comprising a back 25 extending longitudinally above the channel, and legs 21. projecting in downwardly diverging relation from said back at each end thereof, is positioned with said legs at each end thereof arching over said channel in transverse alignbelow back 26 of frame 25. A bolt 31 adjustably interconnects lever end 36 with frame back 26 by means of a thumb nut 38 acting against a coil spring 39 which encircles said bolt and bears against lever part 36 and frame back26 at its ends.

The lever 3| lies in substantially parallel relation to handle I9 in normal inoperative position to hold frame 25 in elevated position. When in this position, the frame 25, through links 28, serves to hold the wringer elements in position with the major transverse axes thereof in substantially horizontal aligned positions as illustrated in Fig. 2. The inner portions of said wringer elements are supported by the flared portions of sponge ID to maintain the arch members 23, 24 in elevated position.

When the lever is then operated, by pulling away from handle IS, the lower end 36 of the lever moves downwardly about pivot 33 as a center. In order that the lever end 36 may have a minimum of movement transverse of channel ll, pivot 33 is positioned therebelow as best illustrated in Fig. 2. Lever end 36 thus shifts frame 25 in a substantial vertical downward movement to press downwardly against the wringer element shafts 22' through the connecting links 28. The downward movement of the wringer elements serves to lower shaft 22 and arch members 23, 24, so that the wringer elements may roll upon sponge l0. After the webs 24 of the arch members strike the top of channel ll continued depression of frame 25 merely serves to continue to swing the outer ends of the wringer elements centered about the lowered shafts 22 directly inwardly until the wringer elements assume positions with their fiat faces in predetermined spaced parallel relation to compress the sponge therebetween. The operative or compressing relation of the parts is best illustrated in Fig. 3.

Upon return of the lever 3| to retracted position, frame 25is raised, thus raising the wringer elements and arch members 23, 24, whereby the parts return to normal position. The expansive action of the sponge assists in raising the inner ends of the wringer elements and said arch members, so that the return movement of the wringer elements is again a substantially rolling action. By virtue of the freedom of the arch members for vertical movement, the wringer elements are adapted to compress the sponge fully by a combined rolling and fiat plate action, so that the major transverse wringer element dimension does not need to be equal to the full width of the sides of thesponge which project from the channel and the wringer elements are substantially held against slipping on the sides of the sponge. The arch members 23, 24, by holding the shafts 22 in predetermined spaced parallel relation at all times, enable equal compressing action to be exerted at all points of the sponge to obtain effective wringing thereof, as will be obvious. Like. wise, the pivoted links 28 connected to frame 25 accommodate horizontal positioning of the wringer elements when inoperative, whereby the having a flat face, said elements being positioned on opposite sides of and spaced apart less than the width of said member with said flat faces normally positioned in substantially coplanar relation, each element having a pair of spaced parallel shafts extending therethrough in a plane parallel to thejlat faces, one of said frames journaling the inner shaft of each element, a link pivotally connecting the outer shaft of each element with the frame of greater span, and means connected with said carrier for depressing said last named frame to pivot said links and thereby pivot said elements to position with said fiat faces in substantially parallel opposed relation compressing said element.

2. A mop comprising a carrier, a compressible mop member carried by and projecting from said carrier,;arigid frame arching said carrier and shiftable relative thereto, means connected with said carrier for reciprocating said frame, a link pivoted to each end of said frame, mop wringing elements of elongated cross section and each having a flat face positioned toengage opposite sides of said member, each link being pivoted to an element, and a rigid arch spanning said carrier and journaling each element in normally inwardly spaced relation to said link connection.

3. A mop comprising a carrier, a compressible mop member carried by and projecting from said carrier, a rigid frame arching said carrier, means connected with said carrier for reciprocating said frame, a link pivoted to each end of said frame,

mop wringing elements of elongated cross sectionengaging opposite sides of said member, each element having a fiat face, each link being pivoted to an element, and means spaced from said links and spaced apart less than the width of said frame and said member for journaling said elements, reciprocation of said frame shifting said links, elements and journal means, said carrier limiting shifting of said journal means.

4. A mop comprising a carrier, at compressible mop member mounted by and projecting from said carrier, a pair of mop wringing elements of elongated cross section and each having a flat face, said elements engaging opposite sides of said member; adepressible arch spanning said carrier for journaling said elements, said arch being engageable with said carrier to limit depression of said arch, and actuating means connected with said carrier and pivoted to said elements in normally outwardly spaced relation to the journals thereof for depressing said elements and arch, said actuating means pivoting said elements relative to said arch upon continued operation after'initially effecting engagement of said arch with said carrier.

5. A mop comprising a carrier, a compressible mop member mounted by and projecting from said carrier, 2. pair of mop compressing elements having substantially fiat compressing faces normally positioned in substantially coplanar relation, means arching said carrier and journaling said elements at opposite sides of said carrier,

. an operating member connected with said carrier, a frame of greater span than said arching means arching said carrier and reciprocable relative thereto by said operating member, and means pivoted to said frame and pivoted to said elements in spaced relation to said journals for swinging said elements on said journals to positions with said faces in substantially parallel compressing relation against said element.

6. A mop comprising a carrier, a compressible mop member carried by and projecting from said carrier, a pair of wringing elements of elongated cross section and each having a flat face, rigid means for journaling said elements at opposite sides of said carrier, said means arching said carrier and being shiftable into engagement with said carrier and operating means connected with said carrier and including a rigid frame arching said carrier and of greater span than said rigid means and links pivoted to the ends of said frame and to said elements in normally outwardly spaced relation to the journals thereof, actuation of said operating means moving said elements and journal means together until said means engages said carrier and thence swings said elements on the journals thereof to press the flat faces thereof against opposite sides of said mop member.

7. A mop comprising a carrier, a compressible mop member carried by and projecting from said carrier, a rigid arch spanning said carrier and shiftable relative thereto in a movement limited by engagement with said carrier, a pair of wringing elements each having a flat face and journaled by said arch, the flat faces of said elements being normally in substantially coplanar relation, a rigid frame arching said carrier and having a greater span than said arch, means connected with said carrier for depressing said frame, and links pivoted to the ends of said frame and to said elements in spaced relation to the journal thereof, shifting of said frame simultaneously depressing said elements and arch until the arch engages the carrier and thereafter swinging the elements to positions with the fiat faces in substantially parallel mop compressing relation.

8. A mop comprising a carrier, a compressible mop member carried by and projecting from said carrier, a pair of wringer elements of elongated cross section engaging opposite sides of said element, a pair of spaced parallel shafts extending through each element, a rigid arch spanning said carrier and journaling one shaft of each element, a link pivoted to the other and normally outwardly positioned shaft of each element, and means connected to said carrier for bodily shifting said links to swing said elements about said first shaft and against opposite sides of said mop member.

9. A mop comprising a carrier, a compressible mop member carried by and projecting from said carrier, a' pair of wringer elements of elongated cross section with fiat faces arranged in coplanar relation at opposite sides of said mop member, and means mounting said elements, said means including a frame arching said carrier, an operating member connected with said carrier for reciprocating said frame, a link pivoted to each element and to said frame, and a rigid member having parts at opposite sides of said carrier journaling said elements inwardly of the pivot connection between said link and element in position to engage opposite sides of said mop member, said operating member shifting said rigid member frame and elements until said rigid member engages said carrier after predetermined partial movement, subsequent movement of said operating member swinging said links to swing said elements about their journals to press against the sides of said mop member.

10. A mop comprising a carrier, a compressible mop member carried by and projecting from said carrier, a pair of wringer elements of elongated cross section with flat faces arranged in coplanar relation at opposite'sides of said mop member, a member pivoted to each element, an operating member connected with said carrier for shifting said pivoted members, and a rigid mounting having parts at opposite sides of said carrier to journal said elements in normally inwardly spaced relation to the pivot between said member and element in position to engage the sides of said mop member, said mounting being shiftable with said pivoted members and elements to predetermined extent limited by engagement thereof with said carrier upon partial actuation of said operating member, subsequent actuation of said operating member swinging said elements relative to said mounting and against the sides of said mop member;

KENNETH S. ROGERS. 

